Truckie hit with fine

Man charged for all work and little rest at wheel of a road train

A road train driver who did not take the requisite break periods was caught out and brought to face two charges at Cairns Magistrates Court.

Harpreet Singh pleaded guilty to two charges that initially had Magistrate Robert Spencer perplexed as they were so similar.

The charges were a solo driver resting less than the minimum rest time, and a solo driver working more than the standard hours.

Defence lawyer David Jenkins told the court Singh simply did not take the minimum rest time.

Singh’s two page traffic record was tendered to the magistrate, as were two references.

“The references speak very highly of him in terms of dedication and training,” Mr Spencer said.

Mr Jenkins told the court Singh had only been driving a heavy vehicle since November 2022, and the rest periods were never explained to him.

“He has now put in measures to ensure it won’t happen again, and he appreciates ultimately it’s his responsibility,” he said.

“It’s an honest mistake and he appreciated the dangers involved.”

The court was told police intercepted a road train on March 5 and inspected Singh’s logbooks, where they found the overwork problem that had occurred on February 17.

Road train drivers should not drive more than 12 hours, and that should be followed by a rest period of seven hours, the court heard. The logbook showed he had worked 15-and-a-quarter hours, and his longest rest period was two-and-a-half hours.

The magistrate acknowledged Singh had given his logbooks to his employer and the problem should have been picked up, but it was not.

Singh was placed on a good behaviour bond for three months and a reconnaissance of $450 when he was sentenced on April 19.

No convictions were recorded in relation to the incidents.